The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is also slightly lighter in color than normal, yet offers a beautiful bouquet of crushed flowers, kirsch, black raspberries, spice and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, it shines for its purity and balance. It’s worth noting the estate is playing around with more whole cluster inclusion, and this cuvée was 40% not destemmed. One of the finest run estates in all of Châteauneuf du Pape is Domaine de la Janasse, which is managed today by the brother and sister pair of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon. Looking at the 2014 and 2015 releases, both lean towards the more finesse-driven end of the spectrum, with Pinot Noir-like textures and less overt concentration than past vintages. That’s certainly expected in a vintage like 2014, but is surprising in a vintage like 2015. While the estate’s reds, both Châteauneuf du Papes and Côtes du Rhône, are well known, don’t make the mistake of missing their whites, as these are some of the most impressive and age-worthy wines in just about every vintage. It’s also worth noting the new Isabelle Sabon Clos St Antonin releases, also reviewed in this report. This is a new estate located just beside the Plan de Dieu and they release four cuvées: one white and three reds.

93-95 Points Vinous Media

40 percent whole clusters; raised in foudres and demi-muids) Lurid violet. Heady aromas of candied red fruits, spicecake and minerals take on suave floral and garrigue qualities in the glass. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors and hints of lavender pastille and blood orange. Silky tannins add shape to the extremely long, juicy finish, which leaves an intensely perfumed floral note behind. Many of these vines were planted in 1912.